Can I upgrade my breaker to 35 AMP or 40 AMP?

Question

I have 10-3 wire w/ ground running from my house to my garage. The breaker in the house and the garage is two-pole 30-AMP. Can I safely upgrade the breaker from 30-AMP to 35-AMP (if there is such a thing as 35-AMP) or to 40-amp? I want to do this, but I also don't want to cause any fires or other hazards. I will only draw up to 27.2 AMPS from this line, but I know 30-AMP will probably trip every-so-often and don't want that either.

Answer 1

You should not run 50A on 10Ga wire.

If the wire is in a couduit you can use the old wire to pull new wire through and they go up to a 40A or 50A breaker on both sides.

If your breaker in the garage is feeding another panel is should be labeled as the service disconnect and should be breakered on both sides.

Answer 2

You need an electrician to do this to make sure you comply with local codes and do not give the insurance co. any excuse not to pay in case of a fire.

Answer 3

Call a qualified professional electrician to do the work. Your 10/3-WG is rated for 30 amp breaker and should only be loaded to 24 amps.  If you need the 35 or 40 amp service, increase the size of the wire to #8.  You also are in need of a neutral in this case so a 8/3-WG is a better solution. This is a case where a direct burial is not a solution I would reccommend, rather I suggest a 3/4 pvc conduit to feed the garage  so individual wire could be used.  It needs to be buried 36" deep.  Steel conduit at 6" if not a driveway is an option. Call a qualified professional electrician.

Answer 4

if the run is less  than 50 ft

yes you can go to a 40 amp breaker,

10-3 will safely carry 50 amps,  

Answer 5

10 gage wire is only rated for 30 Amps. If you are only drawing 27.2 amps you should be fine. If you have something that surges and draws more than 30 then it will trip during the surge. I would suggest you upgrade your wiring. If you want a 40 amp breaker use at least # 8. Also take into consideration distance. If you are running the wire for a long span you may want # 6.